BX 92: 

.B291 



CENTENNIAL 

Historical Discourse 



OF THE 



Presbyterian Church, 

BEDFORD, N. H., 



Deli v e r Id S abb a t h, July 2, / 8 76, by the Pastor, 

V 

REV. IRA C. TYSON. 



I 

PREPARED BY DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA. 




MANCHESTER: 

JOHN B. CLARKE'S STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 
1876. 



DISCOURSE. 



Ps. 102 : 18 : — " This shall be written for the generation to come ; and the 
people which shall be created shall praise the Lord." 

To gather up the records of the past and present, and faith- 
fully transmit them to the future, is a duty which one genera- 
tion owes to another. Especially is this true with reference to 
the history of God's people, whose experiences of faith afford 
an illustration of Divine grace and mercy. 

The early struggles of the church of Christ in the new world, 
its growth and development amidst all the adversities through 
which it passed, its aspect as a moral and spiritual power in the 
land during this Centennial year, with the grand future which 
seems to open up before it, are points of ever-increasing interest 
as the lapse of time brings us nearer to the glorious consumma- 
tion. 

A general interest attaches to the history of the New England 
churches. In all the great cities of the West, and in every vil- 
lage and hamlet, are to be found the representatives of these 
old New England towns. To them, as well as to ourselves, the 
history of the church in which their early lot was cast, and 
within whose walls there cluster so many precious memories, 
must ever be a matter of absorbing interest. To gather up 
these recollections of the past, as connected with the Presby- 
terian church in Bedford, is the object we have at present espe- 
cially in view. This task is the more pleasing from the fact, that 
in all its history this church has sustained an honorable record. 
Its early struggles, the blessings of Divine grace which have 
been visited upon it, along with the general character of its 
ministry, afford us material for the most pleasant retrospect, and 



4 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



give us facts to make up a history which no church need wish 
to forget. 

The Presbyterian church in Bedford claims a common origin 
with those who planted the venerable church in Londonderry, 
N. H. Although the date of its organization is a few years 
later, yet the most of the original settlers came direct from 
Londonderry to Bedford. In the original memorial to Governor 
Shute, of Massachusetts, dated 1718, wherein the memorialists, 
"Inhabitants of ye north of Ireland," requested encouragement 
to come to this country and settle, we find many names of those 
who were closely identified with the early history of this town. 
They trace their origin, therefore, back to Scotland, and to 
Scottish Presbyterianism. Their ancestors were the men who 
came from Argyleshire, in 161 2, to the counties of Ulster, An- 
trim and Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, who were fore- 
most in the memorable siege of Londonderry, by which the 
Papal restoration in England, under James the II, was success- 
fully resisted ; and who, having thus fought for their liberties, 
especially for the liberty to worship God, refused conformity to 
the Church Establishment, and chose rather to suffer the priva- 
tions of a life in the wilderness than yield to the dictation of a 
persecuting hierarchy. 

While the most of the early settlers of Bedford were thus of 
Scottish extraction, receiving the title of Scotch-Irish, because 
of their temporary residence in the north of Ireland, there was. 
also, a Puritanical element in the early settlement of the town. 
The government of Massachusetts, claiming jurisdiction over 
the province of New Hampshire, gave to the soldiers who fought 
in the Indian war of 1675, commonly known as the Narragan- 
sett war, grants of land in various places in Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire. These grants of land were numbered from 
one to seven. No. 5 comprehended all the territory of the 
present town of Bedford, with that portion of the town of Mer- 
rimack lying north of the Souhegan river and west of the 
Merrimack, with so much of Manchester as is embraced within 
the present limits of Piscataquog. These lines were altered at 
a more recent date. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



5 



The tract of land thus assigned to the Narragansett soldiers 
received the name of Souhegan East. A few of the original 
proprietors only became actual settlers, the others for the most 
•part selling out their rights to those who were willing to enter 
and occupy the land. Those who came were mostly from towns 
in the vicinity of Boston, and were probably of Puritanic ex- 
traction. But the Scotch-Irish element, in a short time, largely 
predominated. 

The Scotch-Irish and Puritans, however they may have dif- 
fered in national characteristics, made common cause in reli- 
gious principle. The same religious persecution which drove 
the Puritans from England, forced the Presbyterians of the 
north of Ireland to seek for freedom and independence in 
these western wilds. They were alike men of deep religious 
convictions, and made the service of God the principal busi- 
ness of life. It was because of these deep convictions that 
they were willing to give up the comforts and luxuries of civil- 
ized society, and endure the privations that are incident to 
the settlement of a new country. The very first duty to which 
they turned their attention was the building of a meeting-house 
and the settlement of an ordained ministry. To secure these 
privileges at the earliest opportunity, lands were set off in the 
original grant for the first minister who should settle among 
them, and other lands for the use of the ministry afterwards. 

At that early day the idea of the church and state existing 
independently of each other, however it may have existed in 
the minds of some, had not been practically carried out to any 
extent. We find, therefore, that the business of the church, as 
well as that of the town, was all done in town-meeting. The 
town voted to build meeting houses, to support the Gospel, to 
call ministers, to apply for their dismission, and everything else 
pertaining to the cause of religion. This may account for the 
fact that we have no sessional records of this church prior to 
the year 1804, or any other church records except those which 
are found in regular reports of the town. 

The meeting of Narragansett grantees, at which they divided 
themselves into seven distinct societies, and assigned Souhegan 
East to No. 5, was held in Boston Common, June 6, 1733. 



6 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



The Proprietors of No. 5 took immediate measures to have 
their land divided up into lots, for occupancy, and voted that 
each alternate lot should be marked for a settler. The land 
was then an unbroken wilderness ; nor does it appear that there 
were any actual settlers in the town until the fall of 1737. The 
proprietors, however, continued to hold meetings in Boston, and 
in the winter of 1737-8. a number of settlers having taken up 
lands in the town, the question of building a meeting-house be- 
gan to be discussed. At a Proprietors' meeting in February, 
1738, a committee was chosen to fix upon the cost and dimen- 
sions of a meeting-house, and report. They even went so far 
a{ this meeting as to locate the proposed meeting-house, " on a 
knoll of common land, about 25 rods eastward of the nth 
Range." Subsequently, the southern part of Souhegan East 
was set off to Merrimack, which necessitated the location of 
the meeting-house in another place. But the " knoll " referred 
to took the name of "Meeting-House Hill," and is so called to 
this day. 

For the convenience of non-settlers the meetings of the Pro- 
prietors continued to be held in Boston at the house of Luke 
Verdy, inn-holder, and also at the house of Pelatiah Glover, 
sign of the "Three Horse Shoes." At these meetings the ques- 
tion of building a meeting-house continued to be earnestly dis- 
cussed. Several times it was put to vote whether they should 
proceed to build, but each time negatived. The settlers were 
as yet few in number, their means limited, and the way did not 
appear to be open to begin the building of a meeting-house. 
Money, however, was raised for the purpose and placed in the 
hands of a building committee. The names of this committee 
were : Edward White, John Goffe and Moses Barron. 

The settlers, however, were not altogether destitute of reli- 
gious privileges. At several of the Proprietors' meetings, held 
from 1738 to 1748, they voted money to pay for preaching, ap- 
pointed committees to secure the same, and named the places 
where preaching services should be held. The sums thus raised 
provided for only a part of the time ; the rest of the year they 
were accustomed to go to Londonderry, a distance of twelve' 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



7 



miles, crossing the Merrimack river at Goffe's Falls, and per- 
forming the journey, many of them, on foot. 

The first Presbytery in New England was organized at Lon- 
donderry, April 16, 1745. It was called "The Presbytery of 
Boston." It was composed of Rev. John Moorhead, of the 
Federal-street Presbyterian church, Boston ; Rev. Robert Aber- 
crombie, of Pelham, N. H., and Rev. David McGregore, of 
Londonderry, with the congregations under their charge. The 
elders who met with them were : James McKean, Alexander 
Conkey and James Heughs. They voted " To act so far as 
their present circumstances would permit them, according to the 
word of God and constitution of the Presbyterian church of 
Scotland, agreeing with that perfect Rule." At a meeting held 
in Boston, 1746, this Presbytery licensed its first candidate to 
preach the Gospel. * His name was Daniel Mitchell, a native of 
the north of Ireland, and a graduate of the University of Edin- 
borough. 

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Boston, held in Boston, 
November 11, 1747, we find the first reference to Souhegan 
East. The following is the minute upon the records of Pres- 
bytery : 

" Upon application made by Andrew Cochran, in ye name of the Inhabi- 
tants of Souheggen and Litchfield, for Mr. Mitchell to supply them for a 
time, the Presbytery appointed him to supply them until the second Sab- 
bath of March next." 

At a meeting held in Pelham, June 14, 1748, Mr. Mitchell re- 
ported, " that he had obeyed the appointment of Presbytery and 
their committee." 

There were, doubtless, other men who supplied them before 
this, but Mr. Mitchell's name is the first which appears in any 
of the records, certainly the first sent them by the Presbytery. 
In their application we observe their attachment to Presbyterian 
order, and their desire to secure the institutions of religion 
among them. Mr. Mitchell was afterward settled over the Pres- 
byterian church at Pembroke, N. H., and died Dec. 16, 1776. 

At the same meeting of Presbytery at which Mr. Mitchell re- 



8 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



ported, Pelham, June 14, 1748, another petition for supply was 
made from " Swaheggen." At the same meeting Rev. David 
McGregore presented the name of Mr. Alexander Boyd, a young 
man of a liberal education. He produced certificate of his at- 
tending the study of Divinity at the University of Glasgow, and 
having submitted to a thorough examination, and subscribed to 
the Confession of Faith, he was licensed to preach the Gospel. 

At the next meeting of Presbytery, Londonderry, October 4, 
1748, " Presbytery thought proper that Mr. Boyd should supply 
Kingstown the next three Sabbaths and then immediately after 
four Sabbaths to Litchfield and Swaheggen." It would ap- 
pear from a subsequent minute that Mr. Boyd, having received 
a cail to Kingstown, did not fulfill his other appointments. 

The date of the ecclesiastical organization of the church in 
Bedford has long been a matter of doubf. It is not given in 
any of the town records, nor does it appear in our published 
Town History, except the general statement, p. 140, that it was 
organized by the Boston Presbytery. The recent recovery of a 
portion of the old records of this Presbytery enables us to fix 
the exact date of organization, and I here insert the minute in 
full, as a most important fact for future preservation. 

The Presbytery of Boston met in Boston August Fifteenth, 
Seventeen Hundred and Forty-Nine. The members present were, 
Rev. John Moorhead, Boston ; Rev. Jonathan Parsons, New- 
bury ; Rev. David McGregore, Londonderry ; Rev. Robert Aber- 
crombie, Pelham. Elders : Richard MacCleur, Ralph Cross, 
John Craig. Mr. Abercrombie presided as moderator. In the 
proceedings of this meeting appears the following minute : 

" Mr. Patten appeared as Commissioner from Souhegan, pre- 
. senting a memorial, wherein that people acknowledge their sub- 
jection to the Presbytery, and petition for supplys." 

Thus we learn that nine months before the incorporation of 
the town, and while the settlers were, yet destitute of a place of 
worship, they made application and were received under the 
care of Presbytery, and became a regular Presbyterian church. 
Their meetings for worship were held in different parts of the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



9 



town and in private houses. The Mr. Patten referred to was 
probably Samuel Patten, as he, with Moses Barren and Thomas 
Vicary, were appointed a committee at the Proprietors' meeting 
to provide preaching that year. The Presbytery held another 
meeting at Londonderry in October, of the same year. Souhe- 
gan again petitioned for supplies, and "Mr. Boyd was appointed 
to supply Litchfield two Sabbaths, Souhegan two, and Suncook 
one." 

The settlers, being desirous of securing more effective meas- 
ures for supporting the Gospel, and for their better government 
as a people, now petitioned the Governor of the Province, Ben- 
ning Wentworth, Esq., for an act of incorporation, giving as a 
particular reason for the petition that, " having been long des- 
titute of the Gospel, we are^now desirous of taking the proper 
steps in order to have it settled among us." They also stated 
that, " your petitioners as to our particular persuasion in Christ- 
ianity, are generally of the Presbyterian denomination," and 
they wished the Gospel settled among them " in that way of 
discipline which they judged to tend most to their edification." 
Governor Wentworth laid the petition before the council and on 
the nineteenth of May, 1750, the act of incorporation was 
passed, the district vested with town privileges, and the place 
named Bedford. 

Mr. Boyd having fulfilled his appointment of the preceding 
October, Presbytery again appointed him on the 5th of June, 
1750, in accordance with petitions offered for supplies, "to preach 
ten Sabbaths at Souhegan, Suncook and Litchfield." 

In the meantime the inhabitants of the town of Bedford, act- 
ing in the spirit and intent of their petition for incorporation, 
at once called a legal meeting and took measures to secure a 
settled ministry. The first meeting after incorporation assem- 
bled June 6, 1750, in Matthew Patten's house, and thence ad- 
journed to his barn. Here it was voted that the minister be 
entertained at Samuel Patten's, at the charge of the town. On 
July 3d they voted ^150 old tenor for preaching during the 
year, and on the 7th of August, 1750, "Voted there be a call 
given to Rev. Mr. Alexander Boyd to the work of the ministry 



IO 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



of this town," with a salary of ,£300 old tenor, if he would 
accept. Capt. John Goffe, Dea. John Orr and Mr. Hugh Rid- 
dle were appointed a committee to prosecute the call to the 
Presbytery. It is doubtful whether this call was ever formally 
presented to Mr. Boyd. I find no record of it in the proceed- 
ings of Presbytery and an article in the town warrant, called for 
January 21st, of the following year, was, "To inquire what is 
the reason why the committee for providing preaching to the 
town, are so negligent in that business." It is probable these 
brethren had good reason for their "neglect," as Mr. Boyd had 
been " sharply rebuked " by his Presbytery for effecting a clan- 
destine marriage before leaving Glasgow, and passing himself 
in this country for an unmarried man. The Presbytery, how- 
ever, continued his appointments, on his making a full acknowl- 
edgment, expressing his sorrow and promising to adhere to her 
as his wife. This acknowledgment was unsatisfactory, and Mr. 
Boyd was afterward summoned before a committee of Presby- 
tery to account for his conduct. It is not to be wondered at, 
therefore, that negotiations for his settlement in Bedford were 
at once terminated. 

The question of building a meeting-house now began to be 
agitated anew, and at a town meeting January 24, 1750, a com- 
mittee was chosen for the purpose. Considerable difficulty 
arose as to the location of the meeting-house, the choice lying 
between the east or west end of what was known as the Bell 
hill, immediately south of what is now the centre of the town. 
Not being able to agree they summoned three friends from Lon- 
donderry to decide the question for them. This committee 
chose the east of the hill, but their decision was equally unsat- 
isfactory. The building committee proceeded to prepare the 
timber for the meeting-house, and finally, having abandoned 
both ends of Bell hill, at a town meeting held September 26, 
1755, it was voted unanimously to locate the meeting-house on 
land bought for the purpose, being part of No. 13 and 14 in the 
Tenth Range. Here the meeting-house was afterwards built. 

In the meantime the people continued their efforts to secure . 
a settled ministry. At a meeting of Presbytery in Boston, 1751, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



application was received from " Bedford alias Souhegan," for a 
supply at discretion. At another meeting in Boston, August 13, 
175 1, " Received a supplication from Bedford, pleading for a 
supply." ' At a meeting of Presbytery at Londonderry, October 
29, 1752, supplications were received from Palmer District, 
Canterbury, Colrain, N. Rutland, Litchfield, Derryfield, Bedford 
and Suncook. At this meeting Mr. Alexander MacDowell, a 
licentiate of Presbytery, was appointed to supply a part of the 
the time at "Bedford, Litchfield, Derryfield and Suncook." Mr. 
MacDowell fulfilled his appointments with reference to Derry- 
field and Bedford, both places giving him a call, the people of 
Derryfield proposing to unite with Bedford in having him settled 
over the two places. An article was put in the town warrant to 
see if they would unite with Derryfield in this call. On the 
28th of March, 1753, the town voted not to join with Derry- 
field, and at the same meeting voted a unanimous call to Mr. 
McDowell, with ^100 old tenor if he accept, and a committee 
appointed to prosecute the call to Presbytery. In July of the 
same year another committee was chosen " to prosecute the call 
for Mr. MacDowell to the ' Rev'd. Presbytery,' and to procure 
preaching till the next annual meeting." Mr. MacDowell, how- 
ever, did not accept the call. 

Mr. Samuel, MacClintock was licensed to preach the Gospel 
by the Presbytery of Boston, October 29, 1752. On the. 14th 
of August, 1753, Mr. MacClintock was directed by Presbytery 
to supply half the time at Bedford, the other half at Litchfield, 
Derryfield and Suncook, till next meeting. This appointment 
was renewed on the following November, and his labors in Bed- 
ford gave evident satisfaction. At a town meeting October 1st, 
1754, it was voted unanimously, "to give Mr. Samuel MacClin- 
tock a call to the work of the ministry in the town of Bedford." 
On the following January Presbytery renewed its appointment 
of Mr. MacClintock to supply Bedford, in connection with 
Windham, Litchfield, Derryfield and Suncook. The people 
seem to have been very anxious to secure the services of Mr. 
MacClintock. They voted him £107, 10s. new tenor for his 
yearly stipend, took measures to lay a tax upon the unimproved 



12 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



land in the town to build him a house, and agreed to cut twenty- 
cords of wood annually for five years, and draw it to his house, 
if he would accept. They also, appointed Samuel Patten a 
Commissioner to prosecute the call to the Presbytery. At a 
meeting of Presbytery, August 2 2d, 1754, held at Newbury, ap- 
pears this minute : 

" The people of Bedford having sent a Petition to ye Presbytery request- 
ing them to send one or more of their number some convenient time be- 
tween this and next meeting to moderate in a call to Mr. Samuel MacClin- 
tock, the Presbytery thereupon appointed Mr. MacGregore to perform that 
piece of service." 

At the same meeting they voted that, " Bedford shall have 
their proportion of time wholly in Mr. MacClintock." The fol- 
lowing November this appointment was renewed. 

Mr. MacClintock did not accept this call, but negotiations 
with him continued. At a town meeting May 6th, 1756, it was 
voted to renew the call made to him previously,- at the same 
annual stipend, with this additional inducement, that he should 
have nine Sabbaths to his own use during each year, till the 
town should feel able to pay him for all or a part of those nine 
Sabbaths, for which they would allow him ten pounds old tenor 
per Sabbath. 

The people of Bedford were not mistaken as to the character 
of the man whom they thus desired to settle over them. Mr. 
MacClintock afterwards became one of the honored members 
of the New Hampshire ministry. He was graduated at Prince- 
ton, 1751, settled at Greenland, N. H., 1756, served as chaplain 
in the army during the Revolutionary war, admitted to an ad 
eundem Master's degree at Harvard, 1761, received the title of 
D.D. at Yale, 1791, and after a ministry of 48 years at Green- 
land, died there in 1804. 

During the time of these unsuccessful efforts to secure a set- 
tled ministry, the work on the meeting-house continued slowly. 
The carpenters who olid the work complained that they were 
losing money on it, and the town voted them thirty pounds old 
tenor additional. At length the work had so far progressed 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



13 



that the town meeting, which had been previously held in barns, 
was called to assemble "at the meeting-house frame," April 21, 
1756. The accommodations, however, seem to have been un- 
satisfactory, as they continued to assemble in barns for some 
time afterward. 

Rev. John Houston, the first settled pastor of the Presbyte- 
rian church in Bedford, was born in Londonderry, N. H., in , 

1723. The family belonged to the old Scotch-Irish stock, the 
name of Robert Houston appearing in the memorial addressed 
to Gov. Shute in 17 18. Mr. Houston was educated in the Col- 
lege of New Jersey, which was then located at Newark,* and 
graduated in 1753. Rev. Aaron Burr (father of the Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States), was then President of the College, 
and gave to Mr. Houston, on his leaving college, the following 
letter, which is still extant, and written in a clear, bold hand : 

" This may certify all concerned, that Mr. John Houston has for some 
time been a member of New Jersey College, and sound in communion with 
ye church of Christ in this place, and behaved himself according to the 
Rules of the Gospel. A. BURR, Ps'd. 

Sept. 28, 1753." 

On his return to Londonderry Mr. Houston studied Divinity 
under Rev. David McGregore, and having placed himself under 
the care of Presbytery, parts of trial were assigned him, with a 
view to licensure. The subject of his Latin exegesis was : "An 
Dei Beneplacitum sit solum electionis fundament A homily on 
1 John : 4, 18. After having been examined in systematic and 
experimental Divinity, and branches of humane literature, and 
subscribed to the formula, he was, May 14, 1754, licensed to 
preach the Gospel, being then about thirty-one years of age. 
The examination was creditable to Mr. Houston, his classical 
and theological learning being above the average. Presbytery 
made a minute of the fact that he had received the honors of 
the College at Newark. Mr. Houston was immediately ap- 
pointed to supply one Sabbath each at Windham, Bedford, Sun- 
cook and Nottingham, and afterwards two days at a time at 
Windham and Bedford. 



* Removed to Princeton in 1756. 



14 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



The negotiations with Mr. MacClintock having failed, . the 
people now turned their attention to Mr. Houston, and at a 
town meeting August 5, 1756, it was "voted unanimously, to 
give Mr. John Houston a call to the work of the ministry in 
this town." A committee was appointed to treat with him. At 
an adjourned meeting August 7th, it was voted to give him " six 
hundred pounds old tenor, or new tenor equal thereto but 
this vote was on the 30th of the month reconsidered and it was 
finally agreed to give him " equal to forty pounds sterling in 
old tenor, as the law shall fix the rate of dollars or sterling 
money, and that what number of Sabbath days they should 
think themselves unable to pay he should have to his own use 
deducted out of the aforesaid sum." It was also ordered that 
the committee should agree with Mr. McGregore to moderate 
in a call, should Mr. Houston accept. 

The work on the meeting-house still went on slowly. Special 
committees were appointed, one to "shingle and board it," an- 
other to procure sashes and put them in, another to underpin, 
and another still to lay the floors and make the doors and win- 
dow frames. There was no contract work — all had to be done 
by committee, and sometimes the committees refusing to serve, 
others had to be appointed, which caused much delay, and must 
have been vexatious. But however slow the progress, they paid 
as they went, and thus avoided the burden of a debt. 

The winter of '56 wore along, and it was still uncertain whether 
Mr. Houston would accept his call ; the town appointed other 
committees to procure preaching. At length, however, Mr. 
Houston signified his acceptance of the call, and in July of 
1757 "forty pounds" were voted to defray the charges of the 
ordination. 

Mr. Houston was ordained as pastor of the church of Bed- 
ford on the 28th of September, 1757. The ordination sermon 
was preached by Rev. Jonathan Parsons, of Newbury, from 
.1 Timothy: 1, 2. Rev. David McGregore gave the charge, and 
other ministers took part in the services. From Matthew Pat- 
ten's journal we learn that the text of Mr. Houston's first ser- 
mon after his ordination was, " Fear not, little flock, it is your 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



15 



Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." "Very ap- 
propriate," says Mr. Savage, " as it must have been a small 
church in the midst of the wilderness." 

On his settlement, Mr. Houston, as first pastor, according to 
the provision of the original proprietors, came into possession 
of certain lands in the town. The people of Merrimack having 
then no settled ministry, and being, many of them, of the Pres- 
byterian persuasion, attended worship in Bedford. This was 
somewhat inconvenient, and in 1758 the town voted to allow the 
the people of Merrimack who paid rates to support the Gospel 
in Bedford, " so many Sabbath days of our Rev'd Pastor's time, 
for public worship, to be held at John Burns', as they pay in pro- 
portion with us toward his annual salary for the present year, if 
our Rev'd pastor be willing." 

The details of Mr. Houston's ministry are such as were com- 
mon to the New England ministry of that time. There were 
many hardships, incident to the building up of a church in a 
new country, but he addressed himself to the work with zeal 
and energy, and during his pastorate the church gradually in- 
creased in strength and influence. He gave especial attention 
to catechetical instruction, and was much interested in the 
young people of his charge. He was conscientious and earnest 
in his piety, devoted to the cause of his Master, and labored 
earnestly for the spiritual welfare of the people under his charge. 
During the earlier years of his ministry he seems to have en- 
joyed the respect and confidence of his people, and was happy 
in his relations with them. But at the beginning of the Revo- 
lutionary war general dissatisfaction arose against him, because, 
of his adherence to the cause of the mother country. In taking 
this position Mr. Houston was undoubtedly conscientious, and 
acted in accordance with what he believed to be the will of God 
in the matter. Time has sufficiently demonstrated that he erred 
in judgment. But we who are removed from those scenes of 
intense excitement can afford to impute to him only such mo- 
tives as were dictated by what he understood as his duty in the 
matter. In giving a faithful record of the facts as they occurred, 
it is due to the memory of one who, in all other respects, bore 



i6 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



an irreproachable character, to regard this great mistake of his 
life as resulting from an error of the head and not of the heart. 

The first intimation we have of a feeling of disaffection of 
the people of Bedford against their pastor, appears in a call for 
a town meeting, dated May 2d, 1775. It was immediately after 
the news of the battle of Lexington, and the excitement of the 
people throughout New England was at the highest pitch. The 
article in the warrant was, " To see what method the town will 
take relating to Rev. John Houston, in these troublesome times, 
as we apprehend his praying and preaching to be calculated to 
intimidate the minds of his hearers, and to weaken their hands 
in defence of their just rights and liberties, as there seems a 
plan to be laid by Parliament to destroy both." The meeting, 
which was called for the 16th of May, voted to shut the doors 
of the church against the pastor, and to stop the payment of 
his salary till he should come to a sense of his duty. Mr. Hous- 
ton made a statement of his position to the town, but it was de- 
clared to be unsatisfactory. 

On the 15th of June, 1775, the town voted his dismission, and 
adopted a strong resolution condemning his course. 

As Presbyterians, however, they recognized the fact that he 
was still pastor of the church. It had been the practice in for- 
mer years to vote him a certain number of Sabbaths to himself, 
ranging from four to ten. At the meeting of March 27th, 1776, 
they voted him the whole year to his own use. In the meantime 
they requested him to join with them in their application to 
Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and a com- 
mittee was appointed for that purpose. 

At the formation of the Synod of New England, at Seabrook, 
N. H., May 31, 1775, three Presbyteries were constituted out 
of the old Boston Presbytery, namely : the Eastern, or Presby- 
tery of Salem ; the Middle, or Presbytery of Londonderry ; and 
Western, or Presbytery of Palmer. On the division of these 
Presbyteries Mr. Houston and his congregation were united to 
the Presbytery of Palmer, and he was directed by Synod to con- 
vene the new Presbytery and moderate the first meeting. The 
position he had taken on the state of the country, however, had 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



17 



rendered him unpopular with his ministerial brethren, and the 
unfriendliness resulting therefrom led him to omit the duty as- 
signed him by Synod. Thereupon the Synod directed the Rev. 
Moses Baldwin, of Kingston, to act in his stead, and Mr. Hous- 
ton, having promised that he would satisfy both the civil author- 
ity and the Synod for the course he had taken, was recom- 
mended to bring the evidence of such satisfaction to his Pres- 
bytery, and through them to the Synod. This action was taken 
in September, 1776, more than a year after his dismission by 
the act of the town, and while he was as yet ecclesiastically, al- 
though not practically, pastor of the church. 

The Synod met at Londonderry, September 3, 1777. At this 
meeting a committee from Bedford appeared, and asked the ad- 
vice of Synod respecting their troubles with their pastor. • Mr. 
Houston being present was interrogated as to his promise to 
♦give satisfaction to Synod respecting his conduct. It appearing 
that he had not done so, he was deemed guilty of a breach of 
promise and contempt of Synod, and deprived of his seat in the 
body until he should give satisfaction to the Synod for his con- 
duct, either directly or through his Presbytery. The committee 
from Bedford was also directed to bring the matter of their 
grievances before their Presbytery, in the regular way. 

The following year, September 3, 1778, at Londonderry, the 
Synod re-affirmed its action respecting Mr. Houston, declaring 
his contempt of Synod to be highly blameable, but promised to 
recommend him to the churches as a member in good standing 
on his compliance with their requisition. At this meeting of 
Synod, Bedford congregation and Mr. Houston were annexed 
to the Presbytery of Londonderry, and that Presbytery was di- 
rected to take cognizance of their affairs. Before the adjourn- 
ment of the meeting, however, the troubles in Bedford again 
came up for discussion, and both parties agreeing, the Synod 
passed the following resolution : 

" Whereas, There appears to be a dissatisfaction among the people of Bed- 
ford relative to the Rev. Mr. Houston, whereby he is not likely to be useful 
among them in the ministry, by consent of both parties, this Synod do dis- 
solve his pastoral relation to said congregation." 



i8 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



Mr. Houston is described as having been of a stern and in- 
flexible disposition, but the progress of the war, coupled with 
the almost universal condemnation of his countrymen, led him, 
subsequently, to modify his position. He had stood out in de- 
fence of his views to the point of surrendering his pastoral 
charge, and losing his standing in the Synod. But now, being 
left free to act according to his own will, he appeared before the 
authorities of the state and took the oath of allegiance, of 
which the following is a copy : 

" State of New ) j comm i tte e of Safety, October 28th, 1778. 
Hampshire : ) J ' ' ' ' 

This may certify all persons that the Rev. John Houston has taken the 

oath of allegiance and fidelity to this, and the United States of America. 

Attest : M. WEARE, Chairman." 

At the meeting of Synod, at Windham, the following year, t 
September 15,. 1779, Mr. Houston's name appears on the roll 
of Synod, and also the following minute, in the record of its 
proceedings : 

" A report being given by Mr. Stickland and Mr. Williams, that the Rev. 
Mr. Houston brought from the State of New Hampshire a testimonial satis- 
factory to this Synod, do now restore him to full standing with this body." 

Mr. Houston's name appeared on the roll of Synod up till the 
time of its dissolution, 1782. He remained in connection with 
the Presbytery of Salem, which succeeded the Synod, until 
1785, when, in June of that year, at a meeting in Sylvester, 
the Presbytery gave him the following letter of dismission 
and recommendation : " Voted unanimously, that the Rev. John 
Houston (agreeable to his petition to us), be dismissed from 
this body, and recommended to the churches wherever God in 
his Providence may call him." He afterwards united with the 
Associate Presbytery. 

Mr. Houston continued his residence in Bedford, preaching 
as he had opportunity, and making, occasionally, what might be 
called missionary tours into northern New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont. He died February 3d, 1798, agad 75 years. 

From the time of Mr. Houston's dismission, 1778, until 1804, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



*9 



a period of twenty-six years, the church was without a stated 
pastor. How it survived this long period without the stated 
preaching of the Gospel, it is difficult now to understand. The 
whole period is almost a total blank with respect to any matters 
of historical interest. The names of Benjamin Smith and James 
Little (Elders), occasionally appear on the rolls of Presbytery 
and Synod as delegates from Bedford. 

In the records of the town we find that a certain sum of 
money was voted annually to provide preaching. Rev. William 
Pickles, a native of Wales, and a man of considerable pulpit 
power, supplied them statedly about two years, from 1787 to 
1789, but aside from this there was no regular preaching in the 
town. During this long period of destitution the church mem- 
bers became much scattered, and there was almost no spiritual- 
ity in the church. No revivals of religion are recorded, and it 
would seem that there had as yet been no general religious in- 
terest in the church from the beginning of its history, although 
there were, undoubtedly, some conversions under the ministry 
of Mr. Houston. Towards the close of the century there were 
decided indications of a desire to secure again a settled minis- 
try. It was voted in town meeting that the money appropriated 
for preaching should be used only for those who would come as 
candidates ; and the committees appointed to secure the same 
were desired to apply to Presbytery for supplies in a regular 
way. Early in the beginning of the century six new elders were 
appointed to serve with those already in office, and Rev. Mr. 
Morrison, of Londonderry, was invited to ordain them and ad- 
minister the Lord's Supper. 

March 6, 1804, the town voted a call to the Rev. David Mc- 
Gregore, of Londonderry, and in May of the following year Mr. 
McGregore accepted the same. 

On the 5th of September, 1804, Rev. David McGregore 
was ordained and installed pastor of the church in Bedford, by 
the Presbytery of Londonderry, Rev. Dr. Morrison, of London- 
derry, preaching the sermon. 

Mr. McGregore completed his collegiate course at Dartmouth 
College, in 1799, an< ^ studied for the ministry under Dr. Mor- 



20 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



rison. Upon his settlement in Bedford the affairs of the church 
assumed altogether a more favorable aspect. Meetings of ses- 
sion were recorded and delegates regularly chosen to attend 
meetings of Presbytery. In 1806 a regular system of ministe- 
rial visitation ' was inaugurated, in which the elders alternately 
accompanied the minister. Numbers were added to the church 
from time to time, and church discipline was more strictly ob- 
served. The year 18 18 was marked by a state of general reli- 
gious interest, and during the year twenty-two persons were re- 
ceived into communion with the church. 

Mr. McGregore was a man of superior social qualities, and com- 
manded the respect of his congregation, as well as of his breth- 
ren in the ministry. Many of those who united with the church 
under his preaching became eminent for usefulness, remaining 
firm in their attachment to the cause of the Master to the end of 
life. A few of them survive to the present day, and still bear 
witness to the earnest gospel preaching and ministerial fidelity 
of the pastor through whom they were converted to Christ. 

During the earlier part of his ministry, Mr- McGregore la- 
bored as a missionary in connection with the N. H. Domestic 
Missionary Society, extending his tours into the northern section 
of the State. His labors were blest in the awakening of con- 
siderable religious interest in the places where he preached. 

The relations of Mr. McGregore with the people of his charge 
were marked by harmony and good will throughout. During 
his ministry the church increased in strength and influence, the 
ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper were regularly 
and more frequently administered, and the general tone of 
morals and religion improved. He was a man of sound doc- 
trinal views, and of good pulpit ability. His sermons, some of 
which are still extant in manuscript, evince a .logical mind and 
a diligent study of the Holy Scriptures. He is spoken of as 
having faithfully preached the Gospel, enforcing the practical 
duties of religion with great fidelity. 

In April, 1825, Mr. McGregore apprised his church of his 
desire for a dissolution of the pastoral relation,, and requested 
them to unite with him in application to Presbytery for the same. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



2 I 



Accordingly, the Londonderry Presbytery, at its meeting at Not- 
tingham-West, (now Hudson,) on the last Wednesday in April, 
1826, dissolved the pastoral relation between Mr. McGregore 
and the church in Bedford. Mr. McGregore removed to Fal- 
mouth, in Maine, in 1831, and died there October 18th, 1845, 
aged 74. He was the nephew of Rev. David McGregore, and 
great-grandson of Rev. James McGregore, the first minister of 
Londonderry. His pastorate continued twenty-one years, as 
did that of Mr. Houston. 

About the time of M. McGregore's dismissal a " Presbyterian 
Society " was formed in the town, in accordance with the laws 
of the State, and to it the general affairs of the church were 
committed. While, therefore, the town negotiated with Mr. 
McGregore on the terms of his dismissal, nothing appears in 
the records with regard to the call of his successor. 

On the 5th of July, 1826, Rev. Thomas Savage was installed 
pastor of the Presbyterian church in Bedford, by the Presbytery 
of Londonderry, being its third settled minister. The sermon 
on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Whiton, of An- 
trim, N. H. 

Mr. Savage was born in Boston, September 2d, 1793. He 
prepared for college at Phillips' Academy, Andover, and gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1813, the eleventh of his family who had 
graduated at that institution. Having pursued the study of 
theology for three years, at Cambridge, he accepted an invita- 
tion to become a private tutor in Louisiana. About this time 
he experienced a change of views with respect to the system of 
theology he had adopted, and finished his preparation under the 
care of the Mississippi Presbytery. By that body he was or- 
dained to the work of the ministry in 1822, and preached two 
years at Baton Rouge. 

Returning north in 1824 he supplied the pulpit of Dr. Cod- 
man, of Dorchester, for one year, during his absence, and im- 
mediately after received his first invitation to preach in this town. 

Mr. Savage entered upon his life-work here under very en- 
couraging circumstances. He was young, vigorous, finely edu- 
cated, and fully imbued with the spirit and energy needed for 



22 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



his work. He was earnest in his piety, remarkable for the ur- 
banity of his manners, and for the genial kindness of his dispo- 
sition. He was, withal, an eloquent preacher, possessing supe- 
rior pulpit address and power, and soon won to himself the 
affection of his people, the esteem of his ministerial brethren, 
and the respect and confidence of the people of that part of the 
State where, during his long pastorate, his name became the 
synonym, not of what it literally imported, but of those virtues 
which are the embodiment of a perfect Christian gentleman. 
Politeness — genuine Christian politeness — was, in fact, his dis- 
tinguishing characteristic. To a temperament naturally genial, 
were added the refinements of education, and the graces of 
the Christian life, making him, says Dr. Wallace, in his memo- 
rial discourse, " a model for the young, a pattern for the 
Christian, and an example to be imitated by that profession to 
which he was an ornament." 

In the freshness and vigor of his early life Mr. Savage de- 
voted himself to the work of the ministry, and the results of 
his labors were soon apparent. He immediately brought to the 
attention of the session the duty of systematic visitation, and a* 
plan was adopted that had for its object " a revival of religion," 
by bringing the question personally to the attention of all. The 
town was divided up into districts, and committees of. visita- 
tion appointed to go from house to house, pledging them- 
selves " unitedly to engage in the work, immediately to go 
about it, and not to grow cold or weary in it." The Sabbath- 
school, which had been previously held in school-houses, without 
much interest, was now transferred to the church and held dur- 
ing intervals of Divine service, with happy effects. On the nth 
of October, 1827, a Thursday afternoon prayer meeting was 
commenced, which has continued without interruption until the 
present day, now almost fifty years. In 1829 a Temperance 
Reform began and a Temperance Society was formed, through 
the joint influence of Mr. Savage and a temperance discourse 
delivered by Dr. Justin Edwards. The result of this movement 
was, that whereas seven places were licensed in the town during 
1829, by the selectmen, for the sale of ardent spirits, only two 
were licensed the following year. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



2 3 



These Christian efforts were ordered, in the Providence of 
God, as preliminary to that wonderful work of grace which 
swept over the country in 1831. The church in Bedford was 
partaker, to a large degree, in that revival season, and acces- 
sions were made at that time which have had a lasting influence 
upon the church and the world. At the May communion of 
that year, 5 were added on profession of faith • in September, 
91 j and the following January, 17, making 113 in all. This 
was certainly a most encouraging result for the young pastor, 
and for a country church it certainly evinces a work of no ordi- 
nary magnitude. Many of those brought into the church at that 
time became bright and shining lights in the world ; nearly all 
of them continued to adorn the Christian profession to the end 
of life, and some still survive to attest to the present generation 
the genuine nature of the work of divine grace in their hearts. 

It was during this revival year that the question of building 
a new meeting-house first took definite shape. The old build- 
ing had stood and^ served its purpose for a period of 75 years, 
and was now too small and inconvenient to meet the wants of 
the growing congregation. During the year 183 1 subscriptions 
were started and an association formed for building a meeting- 
house. The building was finished during the following year, 
and on Christmas day, December 25, 1832, the house in which 
we now worship was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Al- 
mighty God. 

In the succeeding years Mr. Savage continued to enjoy the 
confidence of his people, and accessions were yearly made to 
the membership of the church, as fruits of his ministry. In an 
historical discourse prepared and published during 1 841, he re- 
ported that 272 had been added to the church on profession 
since 'his settlement, being an average of 18 per year. 

On the 19th of May, 1850, the town celebrated the Centen- 
nial anniversary of its incorporation. It was a great day for 
Bedford. Many distinguished visitors, former residents of the 
town, and others, were present. It was estimated that about 
2000 persons participated in the festivities. The Hon. Isaac O. 
Barnes, of Boston, a native of Bedford, delivered the Centen- 



24 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



nial address. A History of the town — the joint work of Rev. 
Mr. Savage, Dr. P. P. Woodbury, and Mr. William Patten, was 
published, embracing most of the facts of interest connected 
with the town history up to that date. It was the result of 
great labor and is an unusually interesting book of its kind. 

Once more, near the close of his ministry, Mr. Savage was 
permitted to witness the Divine approval of his labors in a re- 
vival of religion. In 1864 a revival began in Manchester, in 
connection with the preaching of the Evangelist, Rev. A. B. 
Earle. The work extended to Bedford. Special meetings were 
held, and a deep and general interest prevailed. As a result, 
72 persons united with the church during the year, on profession 
of faith. 

On the 3d of January, 1866, the pastoral relation between the 
Rev. Thomas Savage and the church in Bedford was dissolved 
by the Presbytery of Londonderry. The pastorate of Mr. Sav- 
age extended over a period of nearly forty years, and embraced 
the most important period of the church's history. He had suc- 
ceeded in binding the church together in harmonious action 
in all Christian work, and bringing it forward to rank with the 
strong churches in the state. His pastorate, on the whole, was 
eminently successful, and the influence of his labors will long 
be felt upon the cause of religion in this community. 

Mr. Savage did not long survive the termination of his pas- 
torate. He died on the 8th of May, 1866, aged 72 years. 

" As a preacher," says Dr. Wallace, " Mr. Savage was practi- 
cal and impressive. He did not dwell so much on the distinctive 
doctrines of the Gospel, as many preachers. He did not preach 
theology as a system. Yet he preached salvation only by the 
cross. But its doctrines .were mingled with precept as the 
leaven pervades the mass in which it is hidden. They appeared 
not as the veins penetrate the marble, but as the painter's color 
shades the whole." 

Another says, " My earliest recollections of Mr. Savage go 
back to the first years of his ministry in Bedford. The impres- 
sion that he made on my young heart was that he was a power- 
ful and pathetic preacher. He lodged his texts, subjects and 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



25 



manner firmly in my memory. In the revivals of thirty years 
ago I remember him as one of the most active of laborers. He 
never seemed more at home and joyous than in the inquiry 
room. So earnest, affectionate and persuasive was he that he 
drew all our hearts towards himself and his Saviour." 

A writer in the Boston Recorder, soon after his death, says of 
him : " His pulpit efforts were often signally felicitous, and not 
a few will remember — after the General Association of 1864, at 
Manchester, had voted to offer special thanks for converting 
grace vouchsafed to the congregation — how in prayer he took 
the great assembly up bodily to the gates of heaven, so that we 
could almost hear the songs of joy resounding within." 

Mr. Savage was especially remarkable for those bursts of ex- 
temporaneous eloquence by which he often carried his audience 
at his will. These occasions were frequent at the communion 
table and in the religious meetings of ecclesiastical bodies. In 
the pulpit, also, it was not unusual for him to rise with, the 
grandeur of his theme, and breaking away from the fetters of 
his written notes, pour forth a torrent of oratory that swept 
away every barrier in the hearts of his hearers, and won the 
assent of their understanding to the truths he uttered. 

In many of his discourses he was vividly descriptive, leaving 
the impress of the pictures he portrayed indelibly fixed in the 
memory of those who heard him. The writer met with a minis- 
ter in the Assembly at Chicago, in 1872, who had heard Mr. 
Savage preach a sermon more than twelve years previous, but 
which had been so effectually lodged in his recollection that he 
was able to give a clear analysis of it, and to follow the preacher 
out in the general development of his theme. 

He was a man of varied attainments in literature, having read 
extensively among classical as well as English authors, and often 
re-produced the results of his reading with the happiest effect, 
not only in his public discourses, but in his social intercourse 
with men. His fine culture as a scholar, his retentive memory, 
which enabled him to quote from authors almost at will, com- 
bined with elegance of diction, made him to excel in conversa- 
tion, and his society was always delighted in by those who knew 



26 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



him best. " Had he been ambitious," said one at his funeral, 
" he might have stood on the high places of New England." 

The memory of Mr. Savage is most tenderly cherished by the 
congregation to whom he so long ministered. At the time of 
his dismission they evinced their affectionate regard by placing 
in his hands a purse of $1000, and after his death they erected 
to his memory a beautiful and appropriate monument. Many 
anecdotes are related of him, illustrative of his genial kindness 
and the never-failing politeness which marked all his intercourse 
with the world, but the writer has yet to hear the first word that 
would cast a shadow upon the lustre of his name. ' 

Rev. Arthur Little was installed pastor of the church on 
the 3d of January, 1866, by the Presbytery of Londonderry. 
The late Dr. E. N. Kirk, of Boston, preached the sermon, and 
the Rev. Dr. C. W. Wallace, of Manchester, delivered the charge 
to the pastor. 

Mr. Little was born in West Boscawen, N. H., May 24th, 
1837. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy and 
graduated from Dartmouth, July, i860. He studied one year at 
Andover, one year at Princeton ; was ordained as chaplain, 
March 16th, 1863, by a Congregational Council, and spent about 
two and one-half years in the war as chaplain of the 1st Ver- 
mont Heavy Artillery. 

Mr. Little speaks of his pastorate in Bedford as a most happy 
and pleasant one. He was highly esteemed and popular with 
the people of his charge, who were reluctant to part with him. 
During his pastorate a house was built to be used as a parson- 
age, by a society formed for the purpose. 

On the 2 2d of September, 1868, Mr. Little was dismissed 
from his charge, and in October, 1869, was settled over the 
Congregational church at Fond Du Lac, Wis., where he still 
remains. 

Ira C. Tyson was born in Whitemarsh, Montgomery county, 
Pennsylvania, on the 3d of March, 1830. Learned the printing 
business, and was engaged in the office of the Germantown 

Telegraph twelve years. Studied the languages under Prof. 

W T ithington, of the Germantown Academy, and entered Union 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



2 7 



Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1859. Graduated in 
May, 1862. Ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian 
church, Hughsonville, Duchess county, ,New York, October 6, 
1862, by the Presbytery of North River. Dismissed in March, 
1869. Installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, Bedford, 
N. H., May 9th, 1869, by the Presbytery of Londonderry. Rev. 
James B. Dunn, of Boston, preached the sermon, Rev. William 
House, of Londonderry, charged the pastor, and Rev. E. M. Kel- 
logg charged the people. 

The church has enjoyed two seasons of refreshing within the 
past two years, resulting in an accession to the membership of 
about 40 on profession of faith. A vestry, built as a memorial 
of the re-union between the two branches of the Presbyterian 
church, was dedicated on. the 6th of January, 1872. A Young 
Men's Christian Association was organized in May, 1874, and 
in January, 1876, the church adopted the Rotary system of elder- 
ship, electing a full board of twelve elders, in three classes, to 
serve four years each. The present membership of the church 
is about 215, and the Sabbath-school is composed of over 300 
members, adults and children. The Society is at present en- 
tirely free from debt, and its church edifice is in a good state of 
repair. In 187 1 the envelope system for benevolent contribu- 
tions was adopted, and is continued to the present time, (1876.) 

The following is a summary of the ministry, eldership and 
church members : 



From date of organization to present time, . . . . 127 years. 

Without a pastor from 1749 to 1757, 8 " 

Rev. John Houston, 1757-1773, . . ... . . 21 " 

Without a pastor from 1778 to 1804 26 " 

Rev. David McGregore, 1804-1825, 21 " 

Rev. Thomas Savage, 1826-1866, 40 " 

Rev. Arthur Little, 1866-1868, . . . 2 " 

Ira C. Tyson, 1869-1876 7 " 



The following have served as elders, with the date of their 
ordination. In the early history of the church the elders were 
chosen in town meeting : 



28 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



!757- 



Daniel L. French. 



James Little, 
James Gilmore, 
Benjamin Smith, 
William Moor. 

1786. 

Silas Dole, 
James Wallace, 
John Orr. 

1803. 

David M'Questen, 
John Craig, 
John Houston, 
Phineas Aiken, 
William Moor. 

1804. 

John Holbrook. 

1817. 

Stephen Thurston, 
John French, 
John Orr Houston, 
Richard Dole, 
Moody M. Stevens. 

1832. 

Thomas Atwood, 
Samuel McQueston, 



Daniel Mack. 

1847. 

James French, 
Phineas French. 

1859. ' 
William B. Stevens. 
1865. 

Gardner Nevins, 
Charles Gage, 
E. P. Parkhurst. 

1867. 

Jesse Witherspoon, 
Stephen C. Damon. 

1876. 

Hugh R. French, 
Oliver R. Clark, ■ 
Freeman R. French, 
Frederick Hodgman, 
Nathan W. Cutler, 
Frederick F. French, 
John Hodgman. 

Total, 



At the settlement of Mr. McGregore, 1804, the number of names on 

the church roll was 
Added during the pastorate of Mr. McGregore, 
" " " " " Mr. Savage, 

" Mr. Little, 
" " " present pastorate, 



38. 

112 
166 

457 

22 
72 

829 



Making a total of 

In common with other New England churches, this church 
has suffered much from depletion of its numbers, caused by re- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



2 9 



movals to the West, and concentration in the larger towns and 
cities of the State. This constant drain upon its forces has 
been one of the most serious obstacles to its growth. It is, 
however, a source of gratitude to God that the church has thus 
become a source of supply to other places, and that many of 
those who have gone out from it have made their mark in the 
world, and reflected honor upon the place that gave them birth. 
Many have gone out to preach the Gospel, several have become 
missionaries, and large numbers have filled prominent places of 
trust in the land, or acted creditably their part in the common 
walks of life. 

Of those who have gone out from the church to preach the 
Gospel in other places may be mentioned the names of Rev. 
Messrs. Joseph Goffe, John Walker, Silas Aiken, Isaac Orr, C. 
W. Wallace, Daniel L. French, Lemuel Spofford, Ebenezer 
Chase, Moody A- Stevens, Albert Newton. Of those who have 
married ministers are : Mrs. Philomela Garret, previously second 
wife of Samuel Newell, late missionary in India ; Mrs. Jane 
Harris, Mrs. Mary J. Smith, Mrs. Ann Worcester, Mrs. Mary 
Moor, Mrs. Harriet M. G. Wood, Mrs. Dolly Bryant (also the 
wife of a missionary) ; Mrs. Nancy French, Mrs. Polly French, 
Mrs. Sally Chapin, Mrs. Mary Miltimore, Mrs. Lucretia Clelan, 
Mrs. Fanny P. House. The last two were daughters of Mr, 
Savage. 

The church has always manifested a missionary spirit, con- 
tributing some years from four to five hundred dollars to be- 
nevolent objects, and a monthly concert of prayer for missions 
is observed, which has been sustained for many years, and is 
one of the permanent institutions of the church. 

From their earliest history the people have been distinguished 
for their church-going habits, and for their general, attachment 
to the services of the sanctuary. As already remarked, in their 
earlier history, being without preaching at home, they were ac- 
customed to go to Londonderry to Divine service, performing 
the journey pften on foot — a distance of twelve miles. In 
times of religious interest it has been the custom to hold two 
and three meetings during the day, to attend which, the daily 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



business of life has been cheerfully set aside. The Sabbath 
services are always well attended, as is generally the case with 
the Thursday afternoon prayer-meeting. 

Although in the lapse of time there have been many changes 
in the ecclesiastical complexion of the people, the older Presby- 
terians removing and persons of other denominational prefer- 
ences taking their places, the church has always remained dis- 
tinctively Presbyterian. This is the more noticeable from the 
fact that a large proportion of the churches of the State, which 
were at one time Presbyterian, have changed their ecclesiastical 
relations, becoming Congregational. There was nothing to 
have hindered Bedford church from dojng likewise, except its 
loyalty to that form of church government adopted by the 
fathers, who inaugurated a church polity which they believed in 
discipline to tend most to their edification. It is hoped the 
same spirit will animate the church in future, and that they will 
account it honorable to be identified with the great Presbyterian 
family, whose doctrinal system, church polity and aggressive 
vigor, point to it as the church of. the future, which, under God, 
is to grapple most successfully with the forces of infidelity. 
There certainly appears no desire at present to disturb our ec- 
clesiastical relations. 

A church which traces its history back to colonial days, which 
struggled with the country through the dark years of the revo- 
lution, which has grown with the nation to the present clay, and 
still maintains the institutions of religion intact, which during a 
period of 127 years has had 'but five settled ministers, whose 
united pastorates extend over a period of 91 years, and which, 
notwithstanding the many trials through which it has passed is 
still strong and prosperous, has certainly occasion, during this 
year of national jubilee, to thank God for His preserving mercy, 
and for the distinguished blessings with which it has been vis- 
ited. Recognizing His good hand in its past history, especially 
in those seasons of refreshing, which have come, at times, as 
" streams in the desert," restoring its wasted energies, and im- 
parting new life and activity to those of its ministry and mem- 
bership who were fainting by the way, the church enters upon 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



3 1 



the new century of the nation with renewed hope and confidence 
in its covenant-keeping God, and with new purpose of activity 
in the Saviour's cause. 

As we look back over the past to-day, while we see so many 
reasons to thank God for his goodness, there is also cause for 
humiliation that many responsibilities have been neglected, and 
many opportunities of usefulness unimproved. May we not 
hope, that with the continued help of our Great Head, the church 
from this time forth will enter upon a new era of usefulness ; 
and that we may be able, by the grace of God, to make a record 
for the church, in which succeeding generations will rejoice and 
glorify God thereby ? /That the facts here recorded may serve 
as a stimulus to greater endeavor, is the improvement we should 
desire to make of them. 



CENTENNIAL 



Historical Discourse 



Presbyterian Church, 

BEDFORD, N. H., 

Delivered Sabbath, July 2, 1876, by the Pastor, 
REV. IRA C. TYSON. 

PREPARED BY DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA. 



MANCHESTER: 

JOHN B. CLARKE'S STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 
1876. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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